I’m a beginner. I don’t read or play music; as a matter of fact I don’t even have a violin yet but I’m anxiously awaiting her arrival; it should be any day now.

For as long as I can remember I’ve always wanted to play violin but I’ve always found an excuse not to.

Recently, I accidently (probably not so accidental) surfed onto Fiddlerman’s site and watched his video, “$99.00 violin test”.

After researching a little more and unable to shut my inner voice from screaming, ”JUST DO IT, WHAT DO YOU HAVE TO LOSE?” , I decided I would purchase one and start to play violin, or at least try.

So here I am excitedly awaiting her arrival, doing finger exercises, waiting, trying to read music, waiting, playing with flashcard apps, waiting, reading forum topics, waiting, downloading exercises and waiting. I can play a mean imaginary violin that is for sure. LOL

I feel so lucky finding so many friendly people at Fiddlerman’s site, I can’t wait to learn and share with everyone.

Did I say I’m excited?

NoirVelours

Quebec

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May 7, 2012 - 1:59 pm

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I sure feel your excitement Fifi I hope you get your violin soon, I pretty sure you will love it! You sure sound well prepared for a smooth beginner! Welcome in the family

"It can sing like a bird, it can cry like a human being, it can be very angry, it can be all that humans are" Maxim Vengerov

SaraO

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May 7, 2012 - 2:31 pm

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Congratulations on your new endeavor, Fifi. You're going to have so much fun! Great screen name, btw.

springer

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May 7, 2012 - 5:14 pm

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Hi! Fi Fi I hope you like your new Violin. Sounds like you are itching to get going. Rember your Violin will sound better and better every time you play it.

Mad_Wed

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May 7, 2012 - 6:18 pm

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Hi, Fifi! Nice to meet You and welcome tothe forum!

I'm sure that with all those preparations You'll have a quick start with violin!

Happy fiddling!

DanielB

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May 7, 2012 - 6:22 pm

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Hi Fifi.

I did exactly the same thing less than a month ago. Had a little money, looking at a violin.. "Why not?" click.

It will be great. You've already found the site it took me a couple weeks hunting to find, so you are ahead of the game. Go ahead and be excited, you are going to have fun.

"This young wine may have a lot of tannins now, but in 5 or 10 years it is going to be spectacular, despite the fact that right now it tastes like crude oil. You know this is how it is supposed to taste at this stage of development." ~ Itzhak Perlman

ftufc

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May 7, 2012 - 6:30 pm

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Welcome on board Fifi! That is so exciting; while reading your description I remembered being in the same exact place just 4 months ago. I couldn't wait to get my hands on my new violin; I started practicing while waiting to get it by holding a pen in my right hand, using the correct bow hold, while driving everywhere I went; ya can't stinkin wait, lol, I know!!!

You've found such an incredible site, loaded with aides, tools, and great people who are anxious to help you.

HeadCheese

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May 7, 2012 - 9:38 pm

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Such enthusiasm! Remember it when things don't go as well as you think they should, or you become discouraged. Lean on and learn from the myriad experiences of the membership here.
This is a great place you've found.

Welcome aboard!

KindaScratchy

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May 7, 2012 - 10:09 pm

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Welcome Fifi!

I hope you've told all your family and friends that you'll be out of touch for a while. Once your violin arrives, all you'll want to do is practice!

Enjoy every minute of this sweet obsession! I think you'll find it very rewarding.

When the work's all done and the sun's settin' low,

I pull out my fiddle and I rosin up the bow.

Fiddlerman

Fort Lauderdale

May 7, 2012 - 11:31 pm

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Welcome to the forum Fifi,

You sound like you will fit in like a glove here. I'm happy you found your way over here and look forward to seeing your posts.

Good luck with the new fiddle.

"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."

EJ-Kisz

Midwest, US

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May 8, 2012 - 11:57 pm

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Congrats on becoming the parent of a new fiddle!!! When I purchased my first one, I actually put a seatbelt on it (well, the case anyways) on the way home from the shop!

Can't wait to share in your experiences!

~EJ

“Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.” ~Benjamin Franklin

Fiddlestix

Michigan, USA

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May 9, 2012 - 7:24 am

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Welcome, Fifi and congratulation's on your new violin. You will have many pleasurable hour's of entertainment with it, but there will also be time's of sheer frustration.

I wish you happy fiddlin through it all and "don't give up the ship".

We're glad you're here.

Fifi La Fume

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May 9, 2012 - 10:01 am

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Thank you everyone for the warm welcome.

My violin arrived to her new home a couple of hours after I made my first post here.

She is simply beautiful!

I spent yesterday setting her up and trying to tune her. Ha ha! Just tuning her was fun because I’ve never tuned an instrument in my life. I used the chromatic tuner that came with the violin and Fiddlerman’s tuner. I think I’m getting pretty close but right now it’s hard for me to really tell especially when I draw the bow across the strings. Oh boy, that is another funny deal. I was all over the place with the bow. I see humour in all of this so I guess that is a good thing.

I see that I’m like most every other beginner, my left arm contorted so that my pinky finger can reach the G string. Egad that is uncomfortable. I trust this will pass with practice.

I also feel like I fit in as a beginner with the shoulder rest not fitting or feeling comfy. I will be off to my nearest luthier to get that fixed ASAP. I think I might try Fiddlerman’s idea with the makeup remover pad first though.

Well, so far so good. I think this is going to be fun!

I should mention that within the first few minutes of her arrival I had one of those “What was I thinking?”moments but it soon past. I have a feeling I will be having more of those moments while I try and get over this huge learning curve.

Thank you again for the wonderful reception, I appreciate the welcome.

Truly,

Fifi La Fume

NoirVelours

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May 9, 2012 - 10:06 am

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If you shoulder rest is a Kun or a model like that, you can try adjusting the lenght and also the height on both side. Try ajusting it and getting used to it before buying a new one! Mine was not really comfortable for the first week then I got it just right.

"It can sing like a bird, it can cry like a human being, it can be very angry, it can be all that humans are" Maxim Vengerov

I'm also wondering if these animated Emoticon's keep moving after I close the post or do they continue ? They crack me up.

springer

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May 9, 2012 - 9:49 pm

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When you get started don't forget to not practice for too long at a time.

cdennyb

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May 9, 2012 - 11:40 pm

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so, you've become infected huh?

You do know that a notice was sent around from the CDC, it said something like this...

"CAUTION... VIOLIN PLAYING IS HAZARDOUS TO YOUR HEALTH. YOU WILL GO WITHOUT FOOD AND WATER, GIVE UP THINGS TO BUY NEW STRINGS, STOP BUYING YOUR CHILDREN THINGS LIKE SHOES AND CLOTHING AND YOU WILL STUMBLE ON OCCASION INTO A TIME WARP ZONE (INDICATED BY PICKING UP THE INSTRUMENT FOR 'JUST A MINUTE' AND THEN LOOKING AT YOUR CLOCK AND FINDING OUT YOU'VE BEEN HOLDING ONTO IT FOR 3 HOURS!

THERE IS NO CURE, AND NO MEDICATION WILL STOP YOUR FRANTIC INTENT TO GET BACK HOME AND PRACTICE. WORK WILL SUFFER, YOU WILL NOT NEED TELEVISION, AND YOUR SELECTION OF MUSIC WILL BEGIN TO INCLUDE SUCH NAMES AS MILSTEIN, BACH, KREISLER, ETC. AND YOU WILL FIND THAT YOU HIDE SAID MUSIC SELECTIONS FROM FRIENDS AND RELATIVES HOPING YOU WON'T HAVE TO EXPLAIN YOURSELF. GOOD LUCK...WITH YOUR NEW 'ADDICTION'."

welcome, we are your new family...

"If you practice with your hands you must practice all day. Practice with your mind and you can accomplish the same amount in minutes." Nathan Milstein

Fiddlerman

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May 10, 2012 - 7:04 am

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ROFL, That is hilarious Dennis.

"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."